Not-So-Good Friday: Easter's Permission to Feel

Not-So-Good Friday: Easter's Permission to Feel

From Unshaken Saints by Jared Halverson

March 29, 2026 · 1h 14m · Episode 384

About this episode

This episode explores the significance of Good Friday and the importance of acknowledging sorrow to appreciate the joy of Easter.

Theology calls it "Good Friday," but for the disciples standing at the foot of the cross, it was anything but good. It was horrific, silent, and seemingly final. If you are in a season where your life feels like a "Mourning Friday," this episode is for you. Summary: In this special study on the Passion of Jesus Christ, we explore why we must endure the "Not-So-Good" moments of Friday to truly appreciate the victory of Sunday. We dive into the "Stations of the Cross" and the necessity of honest lamentation in the life of a believer. The Theology of "Good": We discuss how a day of horrific suffering became "salvifically good," crushing the head of the serpent even as he bruised the heel of the Savior. Permission to Lament: We look at the "canonized permission to feel" found in the Old Testament and why suppressing emotion leads to spiritual alienation. The German "Karfreitag": We explore the concept of "Sorrowful Friday" and how acknowledging the "sting of death" isn't a lack of faith—it's evidence of the human condition. Joy vs. Saccharine: We prove the contraries of Joy and Sorrow, showing how sorrow keeps our joy from becoming superficial or "saccharine sweet". The Gift of a…

People in this episode

Host: Jared Halverson

Topics covered

  • Theology
  • Lamentation
  • Passion of Jesus Christ
  • Joy and Sorrow
  • Human Condition

Keywords

  • Good Friday
  • Easter
  • lamentation
  • Stations of the Cross
  • joy
  • sorrow
  • broken heart

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Stations of the Cross

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